Psychoanalysisconsiders that whereasisolationseparates thoughts from feeling, compartmentalization separates different (incompatible) cognitions from each other.[2]As a secondary, intellectual defense, it may be linked torationalization.[3]Related also is the phenomenon of neurotic typing, whereby everything must be classified into mutually exclusive and watertight categories.[4]

Otto Kernberghas used the term bridging interventions for the therapist’s attempts to straddle and contain contradictory and compartmentalized components of the patient’s mind.[5]

Compartmentalization may lead to hiddenvulnerabilitiesin those who use it as a major defense mechanism.[6]

Those suffering fromborderline personality disorderwill often divide people into all good versus all bad, to avoid the conflicts removing the compartments would inevitably bring, usingdenialor indifference to protect against any indications of contradictory evidence.[7]

Using indifference towards a better viewpoint is a normal and common example of this. It can be caused by someone having used multiple compartment ideals and having been uncomfortable with modifying them, at risk of being found incorrect. This often causes double-standards, and bias.